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Press
Release
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Source: Cingular Wireless, now part
of the new AT&T
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DO U LIKE ME? TXT 1, 4 YES; 2, 4 NO:
AT&T Releases Annual Valentine's Wireless Courtesy and Dating Survey
Friday February 9, 12:03 pm ET
ATLANTA, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire/
-- You've seen them on candy hearts for years, but now short, to the point, and
sometimes discreet love notes are sweetening up cell phones as a result of
wireless text messaging. Thirty-three percent of people surveyed say they
communicate with their date or mate via text messaging in 2007, an increase of
six percentage points from last year. Twenty-eight percent of users also report
using text messaging to flirt. Looks like Cupid has tapped into the text
messaging craze.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070209/CLF076
)
For the fourth year,
Cingular Wireless, part of the new AT&T, has commissioned a survey of adult
cell phone users to determine how cell phones have affected their romantic
lives. The survey was conducted in January 2007 by ICR (International
Communications Research) among 1,006 wireless users and reveals that SMS and
MMS-based communication between partners is on the rise.
Other findings from the survey include:
* Thirty-eight percent of respondents said that a date answered his or her
wireless phone in the midst of a great dinner conversation while 31
percent said they had done the same
* Twenty-eight percent have used text messaging to avoid long
conversations
* Seventeen percent reported that a wireless phone has saved them from an
uncomfortable date
* Twelve percent have used text messaging news as a conversation starter
with a date or mate
* Eight percent of respondents say they have ended a relationship over
rude/offensive wireless behavior
* Five percent of respondents have called someone else he or she was
interested in from a wireless phone while on a date and seven percent
reported that their date had done so
* Six percent have judged a prospective date by the phone they use
"Text messaging has
become part of the social fabric of dating in America," said Jennifer Bowcock, director of consumer public relations for Cingular
Wireless, the new AT&T. "People can text one another to make plans or
even say 'I love you' when they may not have the time or ability to make a
voice call. It is definitely a discreet and simple way to stay connected."
Also significant in the
survey results, 59 percent of active daters use text messaging to communicate
with their dates, while only 30 percent of those who are married, in a
committed relationship or not dating do the same with
their partners. AT&T's wireless unit provides suggestions on how to lure
your love with wireless this Valentine's Day:
* Text messages allow you to let your loved one know you are thinking
about them, even if you're at work or a public place where a voice call
isn't appropriate. Say I LOVE U or HEY CU T whenever the mood strikes.
* Consider using your camera phone to snap a picture of a vase of fresh
flowers or a hand-made heart drawn on paper and then use multimedia
messaging to send the romantic image to your sweetheart. If you want to
add a little heat to the fire, tap out a love note to include with the
photo using text messaging. That's sure to make even Cupid smile.
* Ready to take your love to the next level? Show your favorite guy or
girl that you've set their picture as your phone screen's background.
* Still searching for the perfect gift? Flowers and chocolate don't last
forever. Take your favorite Valentine to the nearest Cingular store to
buy the new Cingular SYNC by Samsung in Red, now available for $49.99
with a two-year contract and after a $50 rebate.
* If you are expecting a call during a date, let your date know in advance
that you might have to take it, that way he or she won't take you out
with the trash.
* Lastly, always Be Sensible and remember that a dinner or movie date is
no place for a ringing phone if you want to live happily ever after.
AT&T's wireless unit
also offers a variety of love songs for download as ringtones,
in honor of Cupid's big day. Ringtones are available
on Cingular MEdia Net or www.cingular.com for $2.49 each. There are
also several Valentine's Day-themed wallpaper graphics available for download
for just $1.99 each. A sample of featured romantic ringtones
includes:
"Promise," Ciara
"Forever and For Always," Shania Twain
"My Funny Valentine," Chet Baker
"My Love," Justin Timberlake
"I Honestly Love You," Olivia Newton-John
"Love Shack," B-52's
"Unforgettable," Nat King Cole
"When a Man Loves a Woman," Percy Sledge
"Come Away With Me," Norah Jones
"Ain't No Other Man," Christina Aguilera
"Baby, I Love Your Way," Peter Frampton
"You Are The Sunshine of My Life," Stevie Wonder
"Brown Eyed Girl," Van Morrison
"Making Memories of Us," Keith Urban
"We've Only Just Begun," Carpenters
Another cool idea for
Valentine's is to send someone a Mobile Postcard from Fujifilm. Customers can
mail personalized postcards from their Cingular camera phone to any U.S. postal
address for just $1.99. It's a great way to stay connected with the ones you
love. For more information, visit http://www.cingular.com/learn/messaging-internet/messaging/mobile-
postcards.jsp .
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. is a premier
communications holding company in the United States and around the world,
with operating subsidiaries providing services under the AT&T brand.
AT&T is the recognized world leader in providing IP-based communications
services to business and the U.S.
leader in providing wireless, high speed Internet access, local and long
distance voice, and directory publishing and advertising services. As part of
its "three screen" integration strategy, AT&T is expanding video
entertainment offerings to include such next-generation television services as
AT&T U-verse(SM) TV. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the
products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is
available at http://www.att.com/.
Source:
Cingular Wireless, now part of the new AT&T
